Spec Me - Monoculars?

[ttaskmaster]

I'm in need of a monocular, but I've no idea what brands are good these days.
I have some little Miranda 8x22 binos from the early 90s, but they were cheap even back then and are now knackered.

This will be used out on hikes and the like, to find landmarks, spot birds and animals, maybe some static tripod use, etc. Will be stowed in a pocket or pouch, so needs to be fairly small, no spotting scopes or anything like that. Will occasionally be used by young children, so needs to be fairly robust and/or cheap enough (maybe £50-100) to replace if they break it.

- Small enough for a pocket or webbing pouch.
- Relavtively robust, but cheap enough to replace if it gets too dinged up.
- Decent magnification. Somewhere between 10x and 20x, ideally with a zoom feature.
- Lens caps front and rear, included or available separately.
- Standard size camera/tripod mount socket.
- Lanyard point.

What do people suggest?

 

[NickK]

What distance? What will you want to be looking at? Achromatic/apo?

I suppose that’s answered by the budget thinking about it.

Wider lens = more light + better picture, apo will give you better image due to the better convergence of colours.

 

[jpaul]

I don't know the market, but having one with a smartphone adapter would be on my list of requirements too ?
this one just caught my eye https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZRHVHLF , he's got a sideline.

 

[danoliver1]

Hawke and opticron do 8 x 25 models with or without ed glass. https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/all-brands-of-monoculars?listsort=retail:asc

 

[Yaayuh!]

Odd, I've also been on the look out for a monocular

I was thinking think one: https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Opticron-BGA-10x42-Monocular

Looks good, but I must admit, I have no idea what I'm doing.

 

[ttaskmaster]

What distance? What will you want to be looking at? Achromatic/apo?

Anywhere from a couple hundred yards out to maybe 4 or 5km. Basically enough magnification to ID buildings, land contours, and other landmarks from the other side of a valley, or something. So better than my current 8x but not insane enough to be making world-record headshots from a sniper rifle.
Achro/Apo I had to Google, so not much of an issue, I guess.

I don't know the market, but having one with a smartphone adapter would be on my list of requirements too ?

Nope, I'm not stalking any nude sunbathing actresses!
The one you linked is exactly the sort of cheap crap I'm looking to avoid, though.

Hawke and opticron do 8 x 25 models with or without ed glass.

Hawke, as in makers of rifle scopes?

 

[danoliver1]

Yes that hawke.
Dont forget the higher the magnification the shakier the image becomes also the fov narrows. 10x would be preferable.
Do you wear glasses? If yes eye relief needs tobe >16mm.

 

[ttaskmaster]

Dont forget the higher the magnification the shakier the image becomes also the fov narrows. 10x would be preferable.

Yes, fully aware - That's why God gave us things like trees, rocks and mono/bi/tripods against which to brace and steady your view!

Why 10x though, and not something a bit higher?